The youthful couple had been seated in the carriage a few minutes
when they were joined by Mr. Wood, who had merely absented himself
to see that a public breakfast, which he had ordered at the Six Bells
for all who chose to partake of it, was in readiness. He likewise
gave directions that in the after part of the day a whole bullock
should be roasted on the green and distributed, together with a
barrel of the strongest ale.
In the evening, a band of village musicians, accompanied by most
of the young inhabitants of Willesden, strolled out to Dollis Hill,
where they formed a rustic concert under the great elm before the
door. Here they were regaled with another plentiful meal by the
hospitable carpenter, who personally superintended the repast.
These festivities, however, were not witnessed by the newly-married
pair, who had departed immediately after the ceremony for Manchester.
CHAPTER XXIX. HOW JACK SHEPPARD WAS TAKEN TO WESTMINSTER HALL.
Loaded with the heaviest fetters, and constantly watched by two of
the jailers' assistants, who neither quitted him for a single moment,
nor suffered any visitor to approach him, Jack Sheppard found all
attempts to escape impracticable.
He was confined in the Middle Stone Ward, a spacious apartment, with
good light and air, situated over the gateway on the western side,
and allotted to him, not for his own convenience, but for that of
the keepers, who, if he had been placed in a gloomier or more
incommodious dungeon, would have necessarily had to share it with
him.
Through this, his last trial, Jack's spirits never deserted him.
He seemed resigned but cheerful, and held frequent and serious
discourses with the ordinary, who felt satisfied of his sincere
penitence. The only circumstance which served to awaken a darker
feeling in his breast was, that his implacable foe Jonathan Wild had
survived the wound inflicted by Blueskin, and was slowly recovering.
As soon as he could be moved with safety, Jonathan had himself
transported to Newgate, where he was carried into the Middle Ward,
that he might feast his eyes upon his victim. Having seen every
precaution taken to ensure his safe custody, he departed, muttering
to himself, “I shall yet live to see him hanged--I shall live to see
him hanged.”
Animated by his insatiate desire of vengeance, he seemed to gain
strength daily,--so much so, that within a fortnight after receiving
his wound he was able to stir abroad.
On Thursday, the 12th of November, after having endured nearly a
month's imprisonment, Jack Sheppard was conveyed from Newgate to
Westminster Hall. He was placed in a coach, handcuffed, and heavily
fettered, and guarded by a vast posse of officers to Temple Bar,
where a fresh relay of constables escorted him to Westminster.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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